Slow Burn

Slow Burn is a critically acclaimed narrative podcast from Slate that takes deep dives into pivotal political scandals, crises, and turning points in American history, revealing the overlooked details, forgotten characters, and surprising connections that shaped how these events unfolded. Each season focuses on a different historical moment — from Watergate and the Clinton impeachment to the rise of white supremacist David Duke and the road to the Iraq War — meticulously reconstructing how these events felt in real time, before their outcomes were known. What makes Slow Burn exceptional is its focus on the margins of well-known stories, uncovering the lesser-known figures whose decisions and actions were crucial but have been largely forgotten by history. The show combines archival audio, interviews with participants, and rich narrative writing to create an immersive experience that makes listeners feel as though they are living through these historical moments themselves. Each season demonstrates how history rarely unfolds the way we remember it, and that understanding the messy, uncertain reality of past events is essential for understanding our present.